As part of its American Diabetes Association Alert Day on March 25, people will be encouraged to take the Diabetes Risk Test. You might be surprised by the results. No need to prep for it, it’s free, takes about two minutes, and only asks a total of eight questions. It’s easy and it could give you something to talk about with your doctor.
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The ADA estimates that about one-third of those with diabetes (about 5.7 million people) don’t know it. Even more people are thought to be prediabetic.

 The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates that about one in four U.S. adults aged 20 years or older – or 57 million people – had prediabetes in 2007. Those with prediabetes are likely to develop type 2 diabetes within 10 years, unless they take steps to prevent or delay diabetes.

 So this test is intended to help people find out if they may be among that number and to encourage them to find out.
The leading risk factors for type 2 diabetes?
  • Being overweight
  • Inactive lifestyle
  • Older than 45
  • High blood pressure
  • Family history
  • Ethnicity
Another benefit of taking the test is finding out that you can do things to prevent or reverse the disease. If you are overweight, lose as little as seven percent of your weight by eating a better, more healthful diet that is low in fat and calories, and get regular exercise.

 The Diabetes Prevention Program study showed that doing those three things could lower your risk of type 2 diabetes by 58 percent. These lifestyle changes were even more beneficial for study participants over 70 years old, who cut their risk by 71 percent.

 Left untreated, diabetes can lead to kidney failure, loss of vision, or cardiovascular damage. So take control of your health, take the test and find out if you may be at risk.